External transport motors – winder

No Konica SLR prior to the late 70s had a possibility to attach an external motor winder.

Auto Winder AR

This possibility was first introduced for Konica SLRs in 1978 with the Auto Winder AR for the Autoreflex T4 – its successor model FS-1 then already had a built-in motor drive – being world's first 35mm SLR offering this feature.

Auto Winder AR
Front view

Auto Winder AR
Rear view

The Auto Winder AR, conceived for the Autoreflex T4, is capable of transporting the film with a maximum speed of up to two frames per second.

Power supply are six AA batteries, stored in a detachable battery compartment. This way, battery change is very easy. The lower part of the Auto Winder AR is wider than the upper part, to give room for the batteries, so it seems to be a bit clumsy.

The Auto Winder AR is only usable on an Autoreflex T4 and does not work with any other camera.

Auto Winder F AR

The electronic cameras of the F series, that were later built by Konica, also have a provision to attach an external winder, if they do not already have a built-in one (like the FS-1 and the FT-1 do). However, the positions of the connector contacts have been altered, so that the older Auto Winder AR does not fit these newer cameras.

Auto Winder F AR
Front view

Auto Winder F AR
Rear view

The matching Auto Winder F AR for FC-1 and FP-1 is smaller and lighter than the older Auto Winder AR for the Autoreflex T4.

With a maximum speed of up to 1.5 frames per second in serial exposure it is relatively slow – and much slower than its predecessor, which was not impressingly fast at two frames per second either.

As power supply, four AA batteries are used for the Auto Winder F AR, the built-in battery compartment is closed by a hinged door.